Tips For Winter Driving in Calgary
Wait till main roads have been plowed after a storm. Try to avoid rush hour if at all possible.
Make sure your vehicle has winter tires in good condition. It will ensure maximum traction for your safety and the cars around you.
You should practice manoeuvres in public vacant parking lots in the early morning hours if possible to get a feel for what your car will be like on ice. Being able to control your vehicle when you are sliding will be of great benefit to you later.
Driving on Slippery roads
Top up your windshield washer before you leave home if roads are messy to keep your windshield clear during your commute.
Carrying extra clothes winter gloves is a good idea when travelling on winter roads if you end up off the road and have to wait for help.
Make sure your lights are on if they are not automatic.
Decrease speed, critical drive slower than posted speed on bad roads.
Allow 3 to 4 times the average distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Break gently. Try not to skid; otherwise, you will lose control of your staring.
Use low gears on hills. This will get your engine to slow you down. Also, this will reduce some of the breakings you will need to do.
Forget your cruise control.
Bridges and overpasses freeze at different temperatures than roads on grade. So watch out for black ice and slippery conditions when the temperature is below zero.
Passing snow ploughs and sanding trucks can be very dangerous; you should let them do their job and not give unless conditions are excellent ahead of them.
For Rear Wheel Sliding
Remove your foot from the gas pedal.
Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right. If your rear wheels are sliding the opposite way, then move the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get the vehicle under control.
Pump standard brakes gently; don’t panic. ABS brakes work differently than standard brakes; there was no need to pump them; hold your foot on the break, and you will feel a typical pulsing; this will help slow down your vehicle and give control back to the driver.
For Front Wheel Sliding
Put your vehicle in neutral while removing your foot from the gas pedal and avoid steering momentarily.
How’s your vehicle slide? Your winter tires will start to give your vehicle traction, then steer in the direction you want to go once you have regained control, put your beautiful back and drive and continue.
Getting Stuck
When you start to spin, and you are not moving, stop spinning. You are just trading ice.
Turn the side of your front wheel to the side to clear some ice from your front tires.
If you were not putting yourself in danger, use a shovel if you have it with you or nearby and try to dig some snow from around the wheels and undercarriage.
Gently push the gas and see if there is any difference.
If no difference, you should now try to rock your vehicle. It is accomplished by gently pushing your gas every time you feel you are at the peak of the hole you are stuck in. Each time you should rock more and more if doing correctly, finally freeing yourself.
Sand and pea gravel are great to throw under your wheels if they are handy.
Disclaimer – The above instructions should be used with your common sense and situation, and we cannot take any liability for using these helpful hints for safe winter driving. Contact YYC Snow Removal today for all of your commercial snow removal services.